More than 2,500 cannabis plants and specialist cultivation equipment was discovered by three new Ealing recruits who were called to an electrical company warehouse in Gorst Road, Park Royal, following reports of a burglary.

But the officers discovered a three-storey, house-like wooden structure within the 3,265 square foot warehouse hiding hundreds of illegal plants in what police say was a significant amount seized with some officers going 'their whole career without seeing anything like that'.

Employees of the company were called to deal with the hazardous electrical equipment before police were able to gather evidence from the scene.

"PC Paul Diamond who coordinated the operation with Instructor Joanne Curran, said: "In my eight years as a Police Constable, I have never seen anything like that before.

"We believe that various stages of plants found at the scene indicate that this place may have been in operation for quite some time.

"The find represents a significant amount of drugs which now will not reach the streets, possibly saving someone’s life."

The officers who made the discovery include PC Hayley Penfold, PC Will Hudson and PC Djamel Benlakehal and all three had only served with the police for a week.

No arrests have been made following the discovery on Friday February 26 but officers are continuing to investigate.

Anyone with information about possible cannabis cultivation addresses should contact the local Safer Neighbourhoods Team or call local police on 0300 123 1212.